How to Save your Voice

Suggestions for the vocalist: How to save your voice

1. Avoid abusing your voice.

·       Do nothing to your voice that results in hoarseness and/or throat pain

·       Avoid yelling or screaming to the point of causing hoarseness.

·       Avoid singing so loudly that you develop hoarseness, and avoid singing in situations that are so noisy that you cannot hear yourself singing.

·       When you have a cold or laryngitis, do not try to talk or sing "over the problem. This can lead to vocal fold damage; see your doctor.

2. Avoid misusing your voice.

·       Be careful when using character voices, not to strain, and use especially good breath support.

·       Don't attempt to alter your “normal” speaking voice to create an effect; particularly avoid pitching your voice too low. (If you are using the lowest note of your pitch range for everyday conversation, this is too low.)

·       Avoid taking on roles that you cannot do, that is, don't attempt roles that are out of your range.

·       Avoid use of long run‑on sentences and a rapid speaking rate that stress the vocal apparatus; good breath support for conversational speech is every bit as important as good breath support for singing. (If you don't know what this means, you should consider taking voice lessons, and/or seeing a voice therapist.)

3. Avoid overusing your voice

·       In very noisy environments such as airplanes, minimize conversation.

·       Examine your vocal schedule carefully. Remember that all of your vocal demands are not of equal importance. Avoid making a schedule that leaves no room for rest and recovery.

·       Use amplification when available and appropriate, especially for rehearsals.

·       Use “marking” techniques when appropriate, especially for rehearsais.

4. Monitor your work and home enviroments for possible problems.

·       Avoid, if possible, performing in smoky, dusty, and noisy places.

·       Humidify your bedroom, especially during the winter when when it is dry.

5. Monitor your diet and lifestyle.

·       Eat regularly, and eat a healthy diet.

·       Avoid fried and other fatty foods.

·       Avoid dehydration, since this adversely affects the vocal folds; drink plenty of water.

·       Avoid eating or drinking, particularly alcoholic beverages, within three hours of bedtime.

·       Minimize consumption of caffeine-containing foods and beverages.

·       Strictly avoid smoking or other tobacco use, if you smoke, quit.

·       Exercise regularly; aerobic exercise is best.

6. Avoid unnecessary medications.

·       Don't medicate yourself.

·       Avoid drying medications such as antihistamines.

·       Avoid anesthetic throat sprays.

7. Consider taking voice lessons, even if you've never had a voice problem. Voice lessons have been shown to increase vocal efficiency and decrease the likelihood of developing voice problems.

8. If you need a physician, consult wlth other singers to find an otolaryngologist who has experience in treating vocalists.